Wednesday, February 6, 2008
New Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Mercury Retrograde
Rainy and mild
Wiped out. And gearing up for a full day of bouncing from agency to agency. Oh, well, if that’s what it takes to get this theft resolved, that’s what I’ll do.
Work was fine yesterday, although there were interruptions to deal with the account hacking. After work, I stopped by the show to pick up my W2 and they handed me a W4 for this year, conveniently ignoring the fact (once again) that I no longer work there. It was pretty funny. Nice to catch up with people, and Costume Imp and I went to The Coffee Pot for a quick caffeine buzz before I headed back to the ‘burbs.
Stopped by the PD to pick up my copy of the police report, and now I can toddle it around the five boroughs today. Day pass Metro card, anyone?
I could not vote in Super Tuesday because NY State has “closed primaries”. As an Independent, I am not allowed to vote. And I do not believe that I should have to renounce my status as an Independent voter for a frigging primary. Do not get me started.
Wiped out, and didn’t get much creative work done, although quite a bit done on the outline and synopsis for Tracking Medusa. I’ve got the rest of Old-Fashioned Detective Work outlined in my head. Now I just have to get it down on paper.
Picked up, on the sale table, Shakespeare by Another Name, the theory about Edward de Vere writing Shakespeare’s plays. Not only does the book feed into the overall Shakespeare research for the big project, I’m being encouraged to write a “prequel” to Tracking Medusa (once I’ve written The Balthazaar Treasure and Sandoval’s Secret) about the Shakespeare/Bacon project that Gwen and Karl keep referring to in Medusa. It happens about two years prior to the Medusa events, and could be kind of fun.
Heard about another interesting anthology – might rework a piece for that. Or come up with something new, if I can fit it into the schedule.
This weekend, though, I really need to concentrate on the sci-fi horror western. I have bits and pieces in my head, but it’s not connecting up yet.
And I have an idea for a hard-core, rather violent mystery that will make animal rights activists VERY happy.
I’m negotiating on a couple of other fiction projects – I’m being encouraged to move a bit out of my comfort zone with “sure sales” – but my position is, if it’s such a “sure sale” and you want it, contract me BEFORE I write it. I do have credits, although not the kind that usually land a book deal on a synopsis. We’ll see how it all plays out. I don’t want to put in the work of writing a novel on someone’s “sure sale” and then have that person not come through.
All day racing around the city tonight, a meeting tonight about building crap. Think good thoughts for me.
Great morning’s work on Old-Fashioned Detective Work.
Oh, and check out my SDR blog post on “Writing is Work.”
Don’t forget this weeks Friday-Saturday treat on A Biblio Paradise. There’s a review of Yasmine Galenorn’s Darkling on Friday and an interview with her on Saturday. Come on by!
Devon
Old-Fashioned Detective Work – 16,476 words out of est. 20,000 (82%)
Devon’s Bookstore:
5 in 10: Create 5 Short Stories in Ten Weeks by Devon Ellington. This ebooklet takes you from inspiration to writing to revision to marketing. By the end of ten weeks, you will have either 5 short stories or a good chunk of a novella complete. And it’s only 50 cents, USD. Here.
Writing Rituals: Ideas to Support Creativity by Cerridwen Iris Shea. This ebooklet contains several rituals to help you start writing, get you through writer’s block, and help send your work on its way. It’s only 39 cents USD. (Note: Cerridwen Iris Shea is one of the six names under which I publish). Here.
Full Circle: An Ars Concordia Anthology. Edited by Colin Galbraith. This is a collection of short stories, poems, and other pieces by a writers’ group of which I am a member. My story is “Pauvre Bob”, set at Arlington Race Track in Illinois. You can download it free here:
By Jenny Storm. A young girl fights to save her horse trainer father's reputation when vicious rumors could ruin their lives. Purchase from 
OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK
Jain disappears after a romantic weekend with Wyatt, and he's the primary suspect. As he tracks Jain, he's embroiled in a shapeshifter dispute, deals with a rebellious paranormal couple on the run, a cantankerous mermaid, a conniving dragon, and elements of both is and Jain's pasts.
Available Spring 2009.
Free download
"First Feet" by Devon Ellington. Jain, Wyatt, and Billy are in far-flung locations on a snowy New Year's Eve when they are visited by a mysterious "first footer.". Download it 
Hex Breaker by Devon Ellington. A Jain Lazarus Adventure. Hex Breaker Jain Lazarus joins the crew of a cursed film, teaming with tough, practical Detective Wyatt East on an adventure fighting zombies, ceremonial magicians, the town wife-beater, the messenger of the gods, and their own pasts.
$4.00 ebook/ $6.00 on CD from 
Yikes! I hope you don’t have to do too much more running around to get this mess resolved!
May you have a productive and good day!
I like the sound of the mystery. And I hope you don’t get too wiped out – you’ll be getting a migraine again.
I think it is crazy that they do not let independents have a say in the primaries. Keeping independents away helps no one, and I would imagine it makes them feel as though they have less of a say in the whole political process, which is the last thing this country needs when we are among the lowest in civilized countries in voter turnout. In a 2000 survey, we were 140 on the list with 44.9% from 1990-2000. Of course- this survey also said that our citizens are asked to vote more often than most other western countries, but still I think that the system is archaic and needs to be overhauled.
I also think it is wrong that independants aren’t allowed to vote in your primary. And I also believe that the whole system needs to be reworked.
Glad that you were able to get a copy of the Police Report. Will your credit union do anything?
Sorry to hear there is more building trouble.
Don’t forget to take some time to rest, or you’re going to end up unwell.
I hope your day goes well and am sending you good thoughts!
Goodnesss! So sorry to hear about your credit account being hacked into. How awful!
Since I’ve been a victim of identity theft, I know what you are going through. That is why I’m constantly checking all my financial accounts on a daily basis.
Good luck with your bank situation and the building crap.
“And I have an idea for a hard-core, rather violent mystery that will make animal rights activists VERY happy.”
I like the sound of this!